Battery power is back on the menu at Volvo with this, a C30 plug-in hybrid. The electric Volvo C30 BEV wasn’t at Frankfurt, and the Swedes announced the zero-emissions runaround today – along with details of a 92-mile range, 80mph top speed and 0-62mph sprint of less than 11 seconds.
So, Volvo has the technology to keep up in the race for zero emissions…
The BEV stands for Battery Electric Vehicle and Volvo’s new plug-in hybrid could be introduced to the C30 range by 2012, bosses say. It’s a sure sign Volvo is desperate not to be left behind in the race for reduced emissions and there’s more to come after the 99g/km Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe.
The new green C30 BEV is powered by a large capacity (24kWh) lithium-ion battery, housed under the bonnet and offering a full-charge – from a household power supply (230V, 16A) – in just eight hours.
Different technology, same Volvo values?
Volvo claims the conventional position of the BEV’s battery under the bonnet means that practicality and safety haven’t been compromised as on other battery-powered concepts.
Just to show how serious Volvo is about the C30 BEV, they’ve even crash-tested a handful of prototypes – and the boffins reckon it’s just as safe as any other car bearing the Volvo badge.
So how many BEVs can Volvo expect to sell?
Although not yet fully finalised, there are plans for the C30 BEV to hit the roads by 2012. For now, Volvo’s main focus is on hybrid technology, combining battery power with that of a combustion engine.
Paul Gustavsson, director of electrification strategy at Volvo, admits there are a few consumer hurdles to overcome before cars solely powered by electricity become big sellers.
‘The consumer must feel that this type of car is attractive both to drive and own,’ he said. ‘In order to ensure this, we feel that electric cars will have to be as comfortable and safe and offer similar levels of performance as cars with other power sources.’